Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Efficacy of edible coatings in quality maintenance and shelf life extension of pink fleshed guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruit

International Conference and Exhibition on Food Processing & Technology

November 22-24, 2012 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Neeta B. Gol and T. V. Ramana Rao

Posters: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an important fruit frequently consumed raw as having high nutritional value. However, its perishable nature due to softening limits its storage and handling. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to evaluate the efficacy of biodegradable coatings of chitosan (0.5% and 1%) and alginate (0.5% and 1%) on quality characteristics of pink fleshed guava fruits stored at 25 ? 1?C and 10 ? 1?C, 65-70% RH. The results revealed that guava fruit coated with chitosan and alginate had a significant delay in the change of weight loss, decay percentage, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and sugar accumulation as compared to control fruit. Edible coatings showed a positive effect on maintaining higher concentration of antioxidants which decreased in control fruit due to their over-ripening in both the storage conditions. Coated fruit had positive effects on the inhibition of cell wall degrading enzyme activities as compared to control. Guava samples treated with chitosan and alginate coatings maintained good sensory quality, whereas the sensory quality of control samples became unacceptable. The result of the present study suggests that application of chitosan and alginate on guava fruit surface represents as a viable alternative for extending their shelf life. These findings suggest that the beneficial effect of chitosan 1% were superior at the 10 ?C. Therefore, the coating of chitosan 1% can be used commercially for prolonging the storage life of guava fruit, with better effect on the fruit stored at 10 ?C.

Biography :

Neeta B. Gol is pursuing her doctoral research in the area of postharvest physiology of perishable horticultural products. She has earned her M. Sc. degree from Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, India. Presently she is working as a CSIR- SRF. Her research interest includes edible coatings for fruits and vegetables and also published some research papers in this area.